Air Force earns draw; 2 clubs not joining PPL

Veteran Yanti Barsales struck with 12 minutes left as Philippine Air Force salvaged a 2-2 draw against Mendiola on Saturday night at the start of the Philippines Premier League at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

But the action on the pitch was overshadowed by the controversy off it as two clubs—Stallion Laguna and Global Makati—announced it was not joining the reboot of the country’s top-flight league.

The Philippine Football Federation also turned down the appeal of Air Force and Mendiola to gain a club license, which is a requirement for participation in a professional league.

Officials led by commissioner Bernie Sumayao remained hopeful that the situation will be resolved as the PPL hopes to be the gateway of clubs seeking berths in competitions like the AFC Cup and the AFC Champions League.

The league needs six clubs to meet the AFC requirement, but Sumayao remains confident that the league will be successful.

“We are studying to get a sixth club,” said Sumayao. “But we want to get started already, but we also want to follow rules. We are willing to sit down and talk with all football stakeholders to make the league successful.”